Zoom lens Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G
Delivers wide viewing angles while keeping size and weight to a minimum
1 As with the standard FE 24-50mm zoom, the limited zoom range allows for a smaller, lighter ‘trinity’ option.
2 On the left of the barrel, there’s an AF-MF mode switch and a customisable AF-hold button.
3 The lens features an aperture control ring, customisable focus ring and zoom ring.
Everybody loves ‘trinity’ wide-angle, standard and telephoto f/2.8 zoom lenses, right? Actually, you can count me out. Especially for mirrorless cameras, I prefer ‘slower’ f/4 zooms that are smaller, more lightweight and better balanced for relatively slimline bodies. When I feel the need for speed, I switch to a prime lens. Following in the footsteps of the Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G standard zoom, the 16-25mm redresses the balance, giving a fairly fast f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range, but with a relatively small and light build. Something has to give, naturally, and the zoom range itself is more restrictive than usual in both lenses. Even so, both zooms are among the best Sony lenses on the market and have a lot to offer owners of the best full-frame Sony cameras.
One of the most attractive wide-angle zooms in Sony’s arsenal is the mighty Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master II. This ‘G’ (Gold) 16-25mm lens doesn’t have such lofty ‘G Master’ aspirations but is significantly smaller, lighter and less expensive to buy. As an indicator, the front filter attachment thread of the FE 16-25mm is just 67mm in size, compared with the 92mm of its bigger sibling.
Build & handling
Size matters. If I’m walking around town in search of cityscapes or trekking into the hills in pursuit of landscape photo opportunities, I don’t want to be lugging big heavy lenses around. Measuring just 75 x 91mm and weighing a mere 409g, the FE 16-25mm is remarkably small and light for a constant f/2.8 aperture wide-angle zoom. It’s an identical width and 1mm longer than the FE 24-50mm zoom while undercutting it for weight by 31g. Both lenses have the same 67mm filter thread.
Although small, the lens feels well built and features extensive weather-seals, as well as a metal rather than plastic mounting plate, the latter often cropping up on ‘lightweight’ lenses. A fluorine coating is applied to the front element, to repel moisture and grease. Overall, the lens feels tough and durable. There’s quality glass in the optical line-up, including three aspherical elements, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and an additional aspherical ED element. The aim is to optimise sharpness, clarity and contrast while minimising unwanted aberrations.
Like the FE 24-50mm zoom, it includes an aperture control ring that operates in one-third f/stop click steps and comes complete with a click/de-click switch, making
